Rafters rescued from Campbell Creek

ANCHORAGE (AP) -- A man and five children were rescued early Tuesday from a gravel bar in an Anchorage creek, authorities said.

The group set out about 8 p.m. for a float trip on Campbell Creek, which winds through the city. They were planning to be back by 10 p.m., according to the Anchorage Fire Department.

But one of the rafts got stranded on a gravel bar on the creek. The man phoned 911 from a cell phone at about 1:30 a.m., but couldn't give rescuers his exact location.

After several hours of searching from the air and on the ground, rescuers spotted the group. Fire officials say one of the rafts had deflated and the children were wet and cold. One appeared to be hypothermic. A helicopter carried the children to safety.